Cascading Hops Reservoirs for Recirculating Brewing System

ABSTRACT

A cascading hops reservoir may have a series of hops or adjunct reservoirs, each having a drain and an overflow. The series of reservoirs may be used by causing flow through a first reservoir, which may cause liquid to flow through the reservoir and through the drain, as well as past an overflow. When a second set of hops or adjuncts may be added, the flow may be introduced to a second reservoir, which may flow through a drain and also overflow into the first reservoir. A series of multiple reservoirs may thus be used to introduce hops or other adjuncts into a brewing cycle in stages, with each additional stage including previous stages in the recirculating flow during the brewing cycle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/323,537 entitled “Simple, Efficient, AutomatedAll-Grain Beer Brewing System” filed 12 Dec. 2011, which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/449,023 entitled“Simple, Efficient, Automated All-Grain Beer Brewing System” filed 3Mar. 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference for all they disclose and teach.

BACKGROUND

Beer making has been practiced for many years. Sugars are extracted frommalted grains through a process called mashing. The sugars are boiledwith hops, and the resultant wort is fermented with yeast. There aremany styles of beers, each of which has is its particular character.

The sugars that are extracted from the malted grains can be changed byvarying temperature and time of the extraction. The temperature and timeprofile may include raising and lowering the temperature, includingholding the grain and liquid mash at a specific temperature for adefined period of time. The accuracy of the mashing process defines howrepeatable a beer can be made from one batch to another.

SUMMARY

A beer making system may use a detachable vessel to contain liquidduring the mashing and boiling steps, and may also be used during thefermentation steps of beer making. The beer making system mayrecirculate liquid through the vessel, then select between several flowpaths during the beer making process. A removable reservoir systemhaving a grain reservoir and several hops or adjunct reservoirs may beselected as a flow path, as well as a bypass flow path. A programmablecontroller may cause liquid to recirculate through a heater and one ofthe various flow paths, the sequence, timing, and temperature profile ofwhich are defined in a recipe for a particular beer.

A beer making device may have removable reservoirs through which brewingingredients may be added. The removable reservoir may include a grainsteeping reservoir and one or more adjunct or hops steeping reservoirs.A removable tub may contain the various reservoirs, and some or all ofthe various ingredient reservoirs may be removable from the reservoirtub. For example, a set of hops reservoirs may be manufactured as asingle joined unit, and may be removable from the reservoir tub. Theremovable reservoirs may include a check valve which may shut off flowwhen the reservoir may be removed or dislodged, thereby minimizingleakage, and a beer making device may further sense such a situation andcause operations to cease.

A cascading hops reservoir may have a series of hops or adjunctreservoirs, each having a drain and an overflow. The series ofreservoirs may be used by causing flow through a first reservoir, whichmay cause liquid to flow through the reservoir and through the drain, aswell as past an overflow. When a second set of hops or adjuncts may beadded, the flow may be introduced to a second reservoir, which may flowthrough a drain and also overflow into the first reservoir. A series ofmultiple reservoirs may thus be used to introduce hops or other adjunctsinto a brewing cycle in stages, with each additional stage includingprevious stages in the recirculating flow during the brewing cycle.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing an automatedbeer brewing system. FIG. 1 is not to scale.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing a schematic orfunctional representation of an automated beer brewing system.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing a “direct”heating mechanism. FIG. 3A is not to scale.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing an “indirect”heating mechanism. FIG. 3B is not to scale.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing across-section of a grain steeping reservoir. FIG. 4 is not to scale.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing a series ofadjunct steeping reservoirs. FIG. 5 is not to scale.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing a method foruser operations of the brewing device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing a method foroperations of a brewing device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing a safetyloop operation of a brewing device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing a method fora grain steeping cycle of an automated brewing device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing a methodfor a boiling cycle of an automated brewing device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing a methodfor a chilling cycle of an automated brewing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A beer brewing system may use a recirculating liquid path with a heatingmechanism and a selectable flow path to manufacture beer wort. Thesystem may extract sugars from malted grains in a mashing phase, performa boil phase, and cool the wort prior to fermentation. The system mayuse a single vessel or sump to contain the liquid through some or all ofthe wort manufacture phases. In some cases, the vessel may also be usedfor fermentation.

The beer brewing system may have a recirculating flow path with a flowselecting system. The flow selecting system may cause the recirculatingliquid to pass through several different reservoirs, each of thereservoirs may contain ingredients for the wort production, such asgrains, hops, or other adjuncts. The combination of multiple reservoirsplus an automated flow section mechanism may allow a recirculating beermaking system to utilize a single sump or vessel.

The sump or vessel may be used as a hot liquor tun as water is beingheated, as a mash tun and lauter tun during mashing and sugarextraction, as a boiling vessel during a boil phase, and the same vesselmay also be used a fermentation vessel. Because hot liquid may be passedthrough the vessel during recirculation, the vessel may be sterilizedthrough the wort manufacturing process, and the use of a single vesselmay reduce the cost and complexity of the overall system.

A flow selecting system may cause liquid to be recirculated throughdifferent reservoirs, each of which may contain a different ingredientfor the wort. The flow selecting mechanism may be programmaticallycontrolled, and such a system may automatically control the system tomanufacture wort with limited or no user interaction.

A programmable controller may control the various components of thesystem, including monitoring the various temperatures, controllingrecirculating pump or pumps, and selecting the flow paths. A recipe maybe downloaded to the controller, and the recipe may include a brewingsequence that may define a sequence of flow paths, as well as time andtemperature profiles for each portion of the sequence of flow paths.

The system may have a series of reservoirs that may contain ingredientsfor a particular beer recipe. Such ingredients typically include maltedgrains, such as malted barley, rice, wheat, corn, or other grains, aswell as one or more adjunct reservoirs that may contain hops and otheradjuncts such as honey or other flavorings.

The reservoirs may be removable from the beer making system. Removablereservoirs may make loading, unloading, and cleaning of the reservoirsconvenient and easy. The reservoirs may be loaded ahead of time and evensold or distributed as a pre-loaded unit for brewing a particular styleof beer.

The reservoirs may contain a collection area and a drain, which maycollect liquid that may have passed through one or more of thereservoirs. The drain may be routed to return to a sump or vessel,sometimes with the aid of a return recirculating pump. In some cases,the collection area and drain may be part of a larger removablecontainer which may house all of the removable reservoirs. In one suchcase, all of the reservoirs may be removed as a single unit.

The reservoirs may include a grain reservoir, which may include holdgrains while the grains are steeped in the brewing liquid as itrecirculates. The liquid may begin as water that is heated to an initialmash temperature, then recirculated through the grain reservoir. As thegrains steep in the recirculating liquid, the sugars may be extracted.During mashing, the temperature may be held, raised, or loweredaccording to a predefined mash schedule.

The liquid level in the grain reservoir or any of the other reservoirsmay be controlled using a number of different designs. In one design, asensor may be able to detect the amount of liquid in the reservoir, andan inlet pump may be controlled to increase, decrease, start, or stoppumping to maintain such a level. In another design, a sensor may beused as an input to a pump attached to the output of the reservoir, andthe output pump may be controlled to increase, decrease, start, or stoppumping to maintain such a level. In both such designs, a sensor may beused as part of a feedback loop to control the liquid level in a givenreservoir.

In yet another design, a reservoir may have an outlet that may bemechanically sized and positioned such that an input pump may deliver acontinuous flow of liquid which may fill the reservoir and the reservoirmay maintain a liquid level above the grain.

In one version of such a system, the grain reservoir may have anoverflow path, where the liquid level may be maintained over a grainbed. In such a version, the grain reservoir may have a set of drainholes that may be sized to flow less liquid than a recirculating pumpmay deliver to the reservoir. In such a system, a recirculating pump maymaintain the reservoir in an overflow condition such that the grain mayremain covered with liquid while the excess overflows and may berecirculated. A similar overflow design may be used for the hops oradjunct reservoirs.

The grain reservoir may be sized to hold all of the liquid that may bein the system at any time without overflowing. Such a system may besized to prevent leaking or overflow if a return pump fails, a blockageoccurs in a return line, or some other failure occurs.

A bypass flow path may allow liquid to be recirculated from a sump orvessel, through a heating or cooling element, and be returned to thevessel. A bypass flow path may be used to heat or cool the liquidwithout passing the liquid through one of the various reservoirs. Inmany situations, a bypass flow path may be used to change thetemperature of the liquid prior to some step in the brewing process. Forexample, a heating cycle may be used to heat the liquid prior tobeginning a mashing cycle, or prior to a boiling cycle.

The system may have a heating mechanism. The heating mechanism may addheat to the liquid while the liquid recirculates. A “direct heat” typeof heating mechanism may be one in which a heating element is attachedto a pipe through which the liquid recirculates or where the heatingelement is inserted into a pipe through which the liquid recirculates.The term “direct heat” is used to differentiate from an “indirect heat”mechanism, which is one in which a heating element heats a liquid heatexchange medium, and the heated liquid heat exchange medium may applyheat to the brewing liquid through a heat exchanger. In general terms, a“direct heat” type of heating mechanism may be one in which the liquidmay be scorched by possibly overheating the liquid, whereas an indirectheating system may not have the possibility of scorching the liquid.

During a boil phase of wort manufacture, the flow may be passed throughone or more adjunct or hops reservoirs. Several hops reservoirs may beused to introduce hops or other adjuncts into the boil phase atpredetermined times.

The construction of adjunct or hops reservoirs may have a cascadingmechanism whereby liquid may be permitted to flow from one adjunctreservoir to another adjunct reservoir. Such a construction may allowadjuncts to be introduced to the recirculating flow in sequence, withthe first addition being kept in the recirculating flow as a second oneis added, and so forth.

A vessel may serve as a sump during some or all of the phases of wortmanufacture. The vessel may contain an initial charge of water, whichmay be recirculated through the various reservoirs, heating mechanisms,cooling mechanisms, or other components during the wort manufacturing.In such a system, the same vessel may be used for holding liquid duringmashing, boiling, cooling, and even fermenting stages of brewing. Insome cases, the same vessel may also be used for conditioning anddispensing beer after fermentation.

The vessel may be removable from a brewing system. Such a configurationmay allow the vessel to be used for fermentation while a second vesselmay be attached to the brewing system and another batch of beer started.

Some systems may have a cooling system. A cooling system may be used tolower the temperature of the liquid during various stages of the wortmanufacture, such as the final cooling prior to beginning fermentation.In some cases, the cooling system may be employed to actively droptemperature during a mash step.

Some systems may have an active cooling system, where a heat exchangermay have liquid pass through one side while chilled liquid pass througha second side of the heat exchanger. Some such systems may use tap wateras the chilled liquid, while other systems may have another type ofchilled liquid generator. In some cases, the wort or liquid may passthrough a heat exchanger that may be immersed in ice water or some otherlower temperature medium.

Some systems may have a passive cooling system that does not contain amechanism for removing heat. An example of a passive cooling system mayrecirculate liquid through a bypass flow path. The recirculation maycause the liquid or wort to cool faster than if the recirculation werenot performed.

Throughout this specification, like reference numbers signify the sameelements throughout the description of the figures.

When elements are referred to as being “connected” or “coupled,” theelements can be directly connected or coupled together or one or moreintervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when elements arereferred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled,” thereare no intervening elements present.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment 100 showing anautomated brewing system. Embodiment 100 is merely one example of asystem that recirculates liquid through multiple selectable reservoirsand a heating mechanism to manufacture wort. A programmable controllermay automate the heating system and flow path selection and may be ableto automatically manufacture wort with little to no user interaction.

A brewing device 102 may have a set of removable steeping reservoirs 104that may be inserted into an opening 106 in the device 102. Theremovable steeping reservoirs 104 may contain grains for mashing, aswell as hops or other adjunct for use during a boiling phase.

The removable reservoirs 104 may be loaded with ingredients, theninserted into the brewing device 102. A vessel 114 may be pre-loadedwith water at the beginning of the process, and the water may berecirculated through a heating mechanism in the brewing device 102, aswell as through the various reservoirs.

The removable steeping reservoirs 104 may contain a grain reservoir 108,as well as multiple adjunct reservoirs 110. The grain reservoir 108 maybe loaded with various cracked or ground grains such as malted barley,rice, corn, or other grains. The hops or adjunct reservoirs 110 may beloaded with hops or other adjuncts such as honey, flavored extracts, orother ingredients.

The vessel 114 may be connected to the brewing device 102 with an input116 and output 118. A recirculating flow path may pull liquid from thevessel 114, pass the liquid through a heating mechanism, through one ofthe reservoirs or a bypass flow path, then return the liquid to thevessel 114.

A controller interface 112 may be a user interface containing input andoutput mechanisms for a user to interact with the brewing device 102.Examples of the input mechanisms may include buttons, switches,touchscreens, pointing devices, or other input mechanisms. An outputmechanism may include lights, buzzers, display screens, or other outputmechanisms.

In some embodiments, the brewing device 102 may be controlled by aremote device, such as a cellular telephone, tablet computer, desktopcomputer, or other device. In such an embodiment, the user may interactwith the remote device to cause the brewing device 102 to performvarious actions.

The brewing device 102 may have a network connection that may enable thebrewing device 102 to be programmed from various sources. For example, aserver may operate a website and a user may be able to select a recipefor execution by the brewing device 102. The recipe may be downloaded tothe brewing device 102, and then a user may cause the brewing to beginby interacting with the controller interface 112.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment 200 showing a functional diagram of thebrewing device 102 from embodiment 100. Embodiment 200 is merely oneexample of an automated brewing system, and other embodiments may haveadditional or fewer components, or may have the components arranged in adifferent manner.

The diagram of FIG. 2 illustrates functional components of a system. Insome cases, the component may be a hardware component, a softwarecomponent, or a combination of hardware and software. In some cases, theconnection of one component to another may be a close connection wheretwo or more components are operating on a single hardware platform. Inother cases, the connections may be made over network connectionsspanning long distances. Each embodiment may use different hardware,software, and interconnection architectures to achieve the functionsdescribed.

Embodiment 200 may illustrate the brewing device 102, removable steepingreservoirs 104, and vessel 114 as shown in embodiment 100.

The recirculating flow of liquid may be pulled from the vessel 114through an inlet pump 202 and through a heating mechanism 204 and anoptional chilling mechanism 205. The liquid may flow through a reservoirselection mechanism 208 and through one or more flow paths, which mayconsist of a bypass circulation path 210, a grain steeping reservoir212, and one or more hops or adjunct reservoirs 214. The output of thevarious flow paths may pass through a collection area 216 and a checkvalve 218 before leaving the removable steeping reservoirs 104. Anoutlet pump 220 may draw liquid from the reservoirs 104 and back to thevessel 114.

A programmable controller 222 may control the inlet pump 202, outletpump 220, as well as the heating mechanism 204, chilling mechanism 205,and the reservoir selection mechanism 208. The programmable controller222 may have a display 224, input devices 226, and a network interface228.

The reservoir selection mechanism 208 may direct the recirculating flowthrough one or more of the various reservoirs or the bypass flow path.The reservoir selection mechanism 208 may be implemented as a movingtube that may be positioned over one of the flow paths to select theflow path. The recirculating liquid may be dispensed into the flow path.

The reservoir selection mechanism 208 may be implemented in manydifferent manners. In one design, a moving arm may be positioned over aselected reservoir using a stepper or servo motor. A sensor or sensorsmay be used to detect when the moving arm may be in one or more knownpositions, and a feedback loop may be used to control the position ofthe moving arm.

In another design, the flow output may be positioned over a selectedreservoir using an X-Y stage. In one such design, an output tube may bepositioned over a selected flow path using independently controlled Xand Y actuators. Such a design may be useful to dispense liquid over alarge reservoir by moving back and forth during recirculation, therebyspreading the recirculating liquid more evenly across a reservoir thanwhen a dispensing tube is positioned in a single location. Other designsmay also include a mechanism to move a dispensing tube over a reservoirduring recirculation.

In still another design, the flow may pass through a manifold that mayhave outlets over each of the various reservoirs and individuallycontrolled valves for each reservoir. In such a design, a programmablecontroller may select one or more reservoirs for flow, and select thecorresponding valves to be open and other valves to be closed. Such adesign may allow multiple flow paths to be open at any given time.

The output of the various reservoirs or bypass recirculation path maycollect in a collection area 216. The collection area 216 may be aportion of the removable steeping reservoirs 104 where the outflow ofthe reservoirs may gather. A check valve 218 may be located at an exitto the reservoirs 104 so that any liquid in the reservoirs 104 may notspill when the reservoirs 104 are removed from the brewing device 102.

A safety mechanism may detect when the reservoirs 104 are removed ordislodged from the device 102. The detection may be made with a sensor,switch, or other mechanism by which the programmable controller 222 maydetect that the reservoirs 104 are not positioned properly. When adetection is made that the reservoirs 104 are not positioned properly,the programmable controller 222 may shut down the inlet pump 202 toprevent further liquid from being dispensed from the reservoir selectionmechanism 208 and, due to the incorrectly positioned reservoirs 104, mayspill from the device 102.

The check valve 218 may be constructed to close when the reservoirs 104are removed from the device 102 and may be open when the reservoirs 104are fully seated in the device 102. In one such design, a check valvemay be spring loaded to open when the reservoirs 104 are fully seatedbut remain closed when not fully seated.

The inlet pump 202 and outlet pump 220 may be controlled in differentmanners. In one manner, both the inlet pump 202 and outlet pump 220 maybe controlled to be either on or off. In another manner, one or both ofthe pumps may be variable controlled, such that the programmablecontroller 222 may be able to increase or decrease the flow.

The outlet pump 220 may be configured to flow more liquid than the inletpump 204. Such a design may be useful to prevent liquid from collectingin the reservoirs 104. In one version of such a design, the inlet pump202 may be run less frequently than the outlet pump 220, therebyminimizing the opportunity for excess liquid to collect in thereservoirs 104.

Embodiment 200 illustrates a system with two pumps, one on the inletsize and one on the outlet side. In some embodiments, one of the pumpsmay not be present and gravity may be used. For example, the vessel 114may be placed above the brewing device 102 and the inlet flow path maybe gravity fed. In another example, the vessel 114 may be placed belowthe brewing device 102 and the outlet flow path may be gravity fed.

Embodiment 200 illustrates a system where the heating mechanism 204 andchilling mechanism 205 are located upstream from the reservoirs. Otherembodiments may have one or both of the heating mechanism 204 andchilling mechanism 205 after the reservoirs 104 and prior to returningflow to the vessel 114.

The chilling mechanism 205 is illustrated as a separate device from theheating mechanism 204. Some embodiments may have a single mechanism thatmay be capable of actively heating and chilling the recirculatingliquid.

FIG. 3A is an example embodiment 300 showing a “direct” heatingmechanism. FIG. 3A is not to scale.

Embodiment 300 may illustrate a tube 302 and a heating element 304. Theliquid flow path 306 may cause liquid to flow through the tube 302, andthe heating element 304 may apply “direct” heat to the tube 302. Theheating element 304 may be an electrical element, gas flame, or otherheat source.

FIG. 3B is an example embodiment 308 showing an “indirect” heatingmechanism. FIG. 3B is not to scale.

Embodiment 308 may illustrate a heating element 310 and a heat exchanger312. A pump 314 may cause a heat transfer liquid to flow along arecirculation path 316. A liquid flow path 318 may pass through the heatexchanger 312 and through an exit 320.

The term “indirect” heating mechanism is used to describe a heatingmechanism where heat may be transferred to a recirculating liquidthrough a heat exchanges and a heat transfer liquid, as opposed to a“direct” heating mechanism where the heat may be applied without theintermediate heat transfer liquid.

FIG. 4 is an example embodiment 400 showing a grain steeping reservoir.FIG. 4 is not to scale.

Embodiment 400 illustrates one example design of a grain steepingreservoir where an overflow may be used to pass recirculated liquidthrough a grain bed 404.

The reservoir tub 402 may be a large container which may contain smallercontainers. The smaller containers may be individually or collectivelyremovable, or may be molded as one unit. In some cases, two or morecontainers may be joined together into a single unit, which may beremovable from the reservoir tub 402.

A grain container 428 may have a grain bed 404 that may be supported bya mesh support 406. The mesh support 406 may retain the grain particlesfrom leaving the container and possibly clogging downstream piping orequipment. Liquid in the grain bed 404 may pass through drain holes 408into a collection area 410.

A reservoir selection mechanism may have an output 414 that may positionan output at a grain steeping position 412. The flow 414 may droprecirculated liquid into the grain container 428.

The flow 414 may be higher than the amount of liquid that may passthrough the drain holes 408, causing a liquid level 416 to exceed a wall418 and causing an overflow 420. The overflow 420 may bypass the grainbed 404, and the grain bed 404 may remain wetted.

In some cases, the inlet pump may be controlled to fill the graincontainer 428 and maintain the liquid level 416 above the grain bed.Such a system may use a sensor to determine the liquid level 416, andmay increase or decrease the flow 414 to maintain a minimum liquid level416. Some such systems may or may not use an overflow system.

The overflow 420 may pass into an area that may be used for a bypassflow path. In a bypass flow path, the output of the reservoir selectionmechanism 414 may be positioned over the overflow area such that theliquid may recirculate without passing through any of the variousreservoirs.

The output of the drain holes 408 and the overflow 420 may collect inthe bottom of the grain reservoir 402, creating a liquid level 422. Theoutlet 424 may draw the liquid out of the grain reservoir 402 andthrough a check valve 426.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment 500 showing an examplecross-section of a set of adjunct steeping reservoirs. FIG. 5 is not toscale.

FIG. 500 is merely one example of a cascading flow reservoir wheremultiple hops or adjuncts may be added to a flow path in a sequence.

The reservoir tub 502 may have reservoirs for adjuncts 504, 506, 508,and 510. Each of the reservoirs may have openings 540, 542, 544, and546, respectively.

The reservoir tub 502 may be a larger container into which removablecontainers may be placed. The larger container of the reservoir tub 502may be removable from a brewing device as a single unit, such that auser may load the reservoir tub 502 with the various ingredients into abrewing device. The reservoir tub 502 may contain multiple ingredientreservoirs, some of which may be removable from the reservoir tub 502individually or joined to other ingredient reservoirs.

In the example of embodiment 500, the reservoir tub 502 may be onepiece, which the adjunct reservoirs 552 may be a second, separate piece,which may be removable from the reservoir tub 502. In such anembodiment, the reservoir tub 502 may form a collection area 514 whichmay collect liquid as the liquid passes through one or more of thevarious reservoirs that may be in the reservoir tub 502.

A reservoir selection mechanism may be configured to move an outlet 518into multiple positions over the reservoir 502. The positions mayinclude a bypass position 520, a first adjunct position 522, a secondadjunct position 524, a third adjunct position 526, and a forth adjunctposition 528.

In the bypass position 520, liquid may flow through a bypass flow path512 and through a check valve 550 to an outlet 548.

In the first adjunct position 522, flow may drop into the adjunct 510and through an opening 546. When inlet flow exceeds the flow through theopening 546, an overflow may occur across the wall 536.

In the second adjunct position 524, flow may drop into the adjunct 508and through an opening 544. The incoming flow may exceed the flowthrough the opening 544, causing an overflow across wall 534 and intothe adjunct 510.

In the third adjunct position 526, flow may drop into the adjunct 506and through an opening 542. The incoming flow may exceed the flowthrough the opening 544, causing an overflow across wall 532 and intothe adjunct 508. When the incoming flow exceeds the flow throughopenings 542 and 544, the flow may overflow wall 534 and into theadjunct 510.

In the fourth adjunct position 528, flow may drop into the adjunct 504and through an opening 540. The incoming flow may exceed the flowthrough the opening 540, causing an overflow across wall 530 and intothe adjunct 506. When the incoming flow exceeds the flow throughopenings 540 and 542, the flow may overflow wall 532 and into theadjunct 508. When the incoming flow exceeds the flow through openings540, 542, and 544, the flow may overflow wall 534 and into the adjunct510.

The series of adjunct reservoirs and overflow walls may enable a processwhere adjuncts may be added to a cycle in sequence. For example, a firstadjunct may be added into a boil sequence at the beginning. At a secondpoint in the boil sequence, the outlet 518 may be moved to the secondadjunct position 524. During this period, the second adjunct 508 maybegin to be introduced to the liquid, yet the first adjunct 510 maycontinue to be steeped by the overflowing liquid.

Such a sequence may replicate a traditional boiling schedule where hopsor other adjuncts may be added in sequence to a boil vessel. As thesequence continues, two additional charges of adjuncts may be added atlater times.

Embodiment 500 illustrates an embodiment where four charges of adjunctsmay be added to a recirculating system in sequence. Other systems mayhave more or fewer number of adjunct reservoirs that may be similarlyconfigured.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 600 showing a methodperformed by a user for operating an automated brewing device.Embodiment 600 may illustrate one method that may be performed with thedevice 102 of embodiment 100.

Other embodiments may use different sequencing, additional or fewersteps, and different nomenclature or terminology to accomplish similarfunctions. In some embodiments, various operations or set of operationsmay be performed in parallel with other operations, either in asynchronous or asynchronous manner. The steps selected here were chosento illustrate some principles of operations in a simplified form.

Embodiment 600 may illustrate the basic steps that a user may performwhen using an automated brewing system similar to that described inembodiments 100 or 200. The user may start by configuring the devicewith a recipe, load the brewing device, and start the device. The resultof the device's operation may be wort that may be ready forfermentation, and after fermentation, the beer may be prepared forenjoyment.

A user may select a recipe and download the recipe to a controller onthe brewing device in block 602. In some cases, the recipe may bedownloaded from a server to the device over a network connection. Inother cases, the user may manually program the device to perform aspecific recipe.

The recipe may define the brewing sequence, which may include a mashingschedule and boiling schedule. The mashing schedule may define a timeand temperature profile that may cause sugars to be extracted fromgrains that are being steeped. The boiling schedule may define asequence of hops or other adjuncts and boiling times for which theadjuncts may be steeped.

The dry ingredients may be measured in block 604. The dry ingredientsmay include grains, such as malted barley, rice, corn, oats, or othergrains and cereals that may be processed during a mashing phase, as wellas different charges of hops or other adjuncts that may be added duringa boil phase.

The ingredients may be added to various reservoirs in block 606 andinserted into the device in block 608.

Water may be measured and added to a vessel in block 610, and the vesselmay be connected to the device in block 612.

The brewing device may be started in block 614, and the device mayexecute a brewing sequence in block 616. When the brewing sequence iscomplete, the user may receive a signal in block 618.

The user may detach the vessel in block 620, pitch yeast forfermentation in block 622, and configure the vessel for fermentation inblock 624. The configuration may include adding an airlock to thevessel. The fermentation may occur in block 626.

Once fermentation is complete, the beer may be racked from one vessel toanother in block 628. Racking may be performed to remove the beer fromthe yeast in many cases. The beer may be prepared for serving in block630, which may involve bottling the beer or pressurizing a servingvessel with carbon dioxide or other gas for carbonation. Lastly, thebeer may be enjoyed in block 632.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 700 showing a highlevel method performed by a brewing device. The overall sequence may bepresented in embodiment 700, and subsequent figures may describe thesesequences in more detail.

The sequence of operations of a brewing device may follow a traditionalwort manufacturing process. A start signal may be received in bloc 702.A grain steeping cycle or mashing cycle may be performed in block 704,followed by a boiling cycle in block 706, a cooling cycle in block 708,and the device may alert the user to the completion in block 710.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 800 showing a safetyloop that may be performed by a brewing device throughout theoperational stages of brewing. Embodiment 800 may be a simplifiedversion of a loop that may check safety settings and, if an error isdetected, may halt operations.

Operations may begin in block 802.

All of the safety settings may be checked in block 804. If the safetysettings are OK in block 806, the operations of the brewing system maycontinue in block 816.

The safety settings may vary from one embodiment to another. In general,the safety settings may be selected to reduce the risk of damage tousers, the equipment, or to the wort being produced. Some systems mayhave inherent designs that may minimize scalding injuries, damage to theequipment, or other problems. In many cases, safety settings may bedetermined by sensors, switches, or other inputs.

When safety settings are not OK in block 806, all pumps may be stoppedin block 808 and heating mechanisms may be powered off in block 810.Such operations may prevent scalding if hot liquids are present, or mayprevent damage to the equipment.

A fault may be determined in block 812 and the fault may be displayed onan interface in block 814 to alert a user. The fault detection anddisplay may be a fault that may be rectified by the user, such asrepositioning a removable reservoir. In some cases, the fault may be afault that may cause a brewing batch to be discarded, such as a fault ina heating mechanism.

The safety loop of embodiment 800 may be performed while the brewingdevice is in operation, including while the mashing cycle and boilingcycle are being performed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 900 showing a grainsteeping cycle or mashing cycle. The mashing cycle may cause sugars tobe extracted from a grain bed.

The mashing cycle may be defined by a time and temperature profile. Asingle-step infusion mash profile may have a first temperature set pointwhich may be held for a period of time. In a typical sequence, thetemperature may be in the range of 165 deg F and hold for 90 minutes. Amore complex mashing sequence may start at one temperature, hold for apredetermined amount of time, move to a second temperature, hold for asecond amount of time, and continue for several additional temperaturesand time.

The mashing profile may be defined differently for different types ofbeers. Each mashing profile may cause different types of sugars to beextracted from the grains, and those sugars may affect the flavorprofile of the finished beer.

The mashing profile may be part of the recipe that may be downloaded toa programmable controller in a brewing device. The programmablecontroller may turn on and off a heating mechanism to raise, lower, ormaintain a temperature of the liquid, as well as control the variouspumps and select bypass flow paths or one of the various reservoir flowpaths during operations.

The grain steeping cycle may begin in block 902.

The bypass flow path may be selected in block 904. Recirculating pumpsmay be started in block 906 and a first temperature start point may beselected in block 908.

As the recirculating and heating may continue, if the temperature is notat a set point in block 910, heat may be added in block 912. Once thetemperature reaches the set point in block 910, the grain steeping flowpath may be selected in block 914. At this point, the mashing may beginas the grains become wetted.

A time and temperature may be determined from the mashing profile inblock 914.

If the temperature is below the set point in block 918, heat is added inblock 920. If the time has not expired in block 922, the process mayreturn to block 918.

When the time has expired for the step in the mashing profile andanother step remains in the profile in block 924, the process may returnto block 916 to select the next time and temperature setting from theprofile.

When all of the steps have been completed in block 924, the input pumpmay be turned off in block 926 and the outlet pump may continue to runin block 928 until the grain reservoir empties.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 1000 showing aboiling cycle. The boiling cycle may be performed at or near the boilingtemperature and may further change the extracted sugars into fermentablesugars. During the boil cycle, hops and other adjuncts may be added insequence.

The boiling cycle may be defined by a boiling profile, which may includedefinitions for an adjunct flow path, as well as time and temperaturesettings for each step in the boiling cycle.

The boiling cycle may begin in block 1002.

The bypass flow path may be selected in block 1004. The recirculatingpumps may be turned on in block 1006 and a temperature set point may bedetermined in block 1008. In a typical boiling cycle, the first setpoint may be close to boiling, and may vary depending on altitude oratmospheric pressure. As the liquid recirculates, if the temperature isnot at the set point in block 1010, heat may be added in block 1012.

Once the temperature reaches the set point in block 1010, the adjunctflow path, time, and temperature may be selected from the profile inblock 1014.

The adjunct flow path may be set in block 1016. While liquidrecirculates through the set adjunct flow path, if the temperature islower than the set point in block 1018, heat may be added in block 1020.If time has not expired for the profile step, the process may return toblock 1018.

Once time has expired on the boiling step and another step exists in theprofile in block 1024, the process may return to block 1014 to determineand execute the next step in the profile.

If all the steps have been completed in block 1024, the input pump maybe turned off in block 1026. The outlet pump may continue to run inblock 1028 until the reservoirs empty. The boiling cycle may end inblock 1030.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 1100 showing achilling cycle. In embodiment 1100, the chilling cycle may use anexternal chiller that may be manually attached to the system.

Other systems may have internal chillers that may not have a userinstall the chiller.

The cooling cycle may begin in block 1102.

A user may be alerted in block 1104 to install a heat exchanger or otherchilling mechanism. The user may send an input in block 1106 to thecontroller to continue once the chilling mechanism may be installed.

The bypass flow path may be set in block 1108. The recirculating pumpsmay be turned on in block 1110. A temperature set point may be selectedin block 1112.

The recirculation may continue through the cooling mechanism. If thetemperature is above the set point in block 1114, the recirculation maycontinue in block 1114.

Once the set point has been reached in block 1114, the input pump may beturned off in block 1116. The outlet pump may be run in block 1118 untilthe collection area empties. The chilling cycle ends in block 1120.

The foregoing description of the subject matter has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the subject matter to the precise form disclosed,and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of theabove teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe invention in various embodiments and various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that theappended claims be construed to include other alternative embodimentsexcept insofar as limited by the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reservoir system comprising: a first reservoirhaving a first hops containment area, a first drain, and a firstoverflow, said first reservoir having an upper opening to receive aliquid at a first input flow rate; said first hops containment areabeing substantially located below said first overflow; said first drainrestricting said liquid to flow at a first drain flow rate, said firstdrain flow rate being lower than said first input flow rate, such thatsaid liquid overflows said first reservoir when said liquid is receivedat said first input flow rate into said first reservoir; a secondreservoir having a second hops containment area, a second drain, and asecond overflow, said second reservoir having an upper opening toreceive said liquid at a second input flow rate; said second hopscontainment area being substantially located below said second overflow;said second drain restricting said liquid to flow at a second drain flowrate, said second drain flow rate being lower than said second inputflow rate, such that said liquid overflows said second reservoir throughsaid second overflow when said liquid is received at said second inputflow rate into said second reservoir; said second hops containment areabeing located upstream from said first hops containment area, such thatsaid second overflow is connected to said upper opening of said firstreservoir.
 2. The reservoir system of claim 1, said first drain and saidsecond drain being connected to a common drain area.
 3. The reservoirsystem of claim 1 further comprising: a first hops container having aporous membrane through which said liquid passes to come into contactwith hops during use.
 4. The reservoir system of claim 3, said porousmembrane being a metal screen.
 5. The reservoir system of claim 3, saidporous membrane being a cloth material.
 6. The reservoir system of claim1, said second input flow rate being greater than said first drain flowrate and said second drain flow rate, such that when said liquid isreceived at said second input flow rate into said second hopscontainment area that at least some of said liquid passes over saidfirst overflow.
 7. The reservoir system of claim 1 further comprising: abypass flow path having a bypass input to receive said liquid and abypass drain, said bypass flow path further connected to said firstoverflow to receive said liquid that overflows said first hopsreservoir.
 8. The reservoir system of claim 1 further comprising: athird reservoir having a third hops containment area, a third drain, anda third overflow, said third reservoir having an upper opening toreceive said liquid at a third input flow rate; said third hopscontainment area being substantially located below said third overflow;said third drain restricting said liquid to flow at a third drain flowrate, said third drain flow rate being lower than said third input flowrate, such that said liquid overflows said third reservoir through saidthird overflow when said liquid is received at said third input flowrate into said third reservoir; said third hops containment area beinglocated upstream from said second hops containment area, such that saidthird overflow is connected to said upper opening of said secondreservoir.
 9. The reservoir system of claim 8 further comprising: afourth reservoir having a fourth hops containment area, a fourth drain,and a fourth overflow, said fourth reservoir having an upper opening toreceive said liquid at a fourth input flow rate; said fourth hopscontainment area being substantially located below said fourth overflow;said fourth drain restricting said liquid to flow at a fourth drain flowrate, said fourth drain flow rate being lower than said fourth inputflow rate, such that said liquid overflows said fourth reservoir throughsaid fourth overflow when said liquid is received at said fourth inputflow rate into said fourth reservoir; said fourth hops containment areabeing located upstream from said third hops containment area, such thatsaid fourth overflow is connected to said upper opening of said thirdreservoir.
 10. The reservoir system of claim 1, said first reservoir andsaid second reservoir being contained in a single unit, said single unitbeing a removable unit for use in a brewing system.
 11. A brewing systemcomprising: a recirculating system that recirculates liquid through aheating mechanism and along a recirculating flow path; a cascading hopssteeper comprising: a first reservoir having a first hops containmentarea, a first drain, and a first overflow, said first reservoir havingan upper opening to receive a liquid at a first input flow rate; saidfirst hops containment area being substantially located below said firstoverflow; said first drain restricting said liquid to flow at a firstdrain flow rate, said first drain flow rate being lower than said firstinput flow rate, such that said liquid overflows said first reservoirwhen said liquid is received at said first input flow rate into saidfirst reservoir; a second reservoir having a second hops containmentarea, a second drain, and a second overflow, said second reservoirhaving an upper opening to receive said liquid at a second input flowrate; said second hops containment area being substantially locatedbelow said second overflow; said second drain restricting said liquid toflow at a second drain flow rate, said second drain flow rate beinglower than said second input flow rate, such that said liquid overflowssaid second reservoir through said second overflow when said liquid isreceived at said second input flow rate into said second reservoir; saidsecond hops containment area being located upstream from said first hopscontainment area, such that said second overflow is connected to saidupper opening of said first reservoir; a reservoir selection mechanismhaving a bypass position, a first hops position, and a second hopsposition: said bypass position directing said recirculating flow pathbypassing said first hops reservoir and said second hops reservoir; saidfirst hops position directing said recirculating flow path through saidfirst hops reservoir; and said second hops position directing saidrecirculating flow path through said second hops reservoir.
 12. Thebrewing system of claim 11, said second hops position causing at least aportion of said recirculating flow to pass through said second hopsposition and said first hops position and said first overflow.
 13. Thebrewing system of claim 11, said cascading hops steeper being aremovable component.